Seek and pursue peace it. Proverbs 34:14

The Mozell Howie 2017 Peacemaking Scholarship for High School Seniors

The Peacemaking Committee of Coastal Carolina Presbytery
will offer two $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors enrolling in college by the fall of 2017. All essays must be received by 5 p.m. on April 25.

Rules for Scholarship Consideration:

1. The student must be a senior in high school.
2. The student must be active in a Presbyterian Church in Coastal Carolina Presbytery.
3. The student is asked to submit an essay in response to the following question:What do you see as the most pressing peacemaking issue of our time,and how wil you seek to address it through your studies and beyond?
4. Essay must be typed, properly referenced, not exceed 1,000 words and include the student’s name, contact information, home church, and college they are attending.
5. All essays must be received by 5 p.m. on April 25. *Email submission is preferred.*
6. The winners will be notified and then presented with their award at a regional presbytery meeting.

On January 8-13, 2017, a mission work crew of seven members from Manasquan Presbyterian Church, Manasquan, New Jersey, came to show support to the citizens of Lumberton who are affected by flood damage from Hurricane Matthew. Ages of the work crew ranged from 60 to 80 years.

They worked faithfully pulling up damaged floors, removing sheet-rock, insulation, window and door frames, and hauling debris outdoors onto large piles for collection. They gutted four houses on the south side of Lumberton. The tools and equipment they purchased to do their work were left with United Methodist Disaster Response to assist other relief groups on their mission trips there.

members from Manasquan Presbyterian Church, Manasquan, NJ at work in Lumberton, NC

The Manasquan work crew distributed appropriate donations to churches and other groups actively working on rebuilding, stocking food banks, distributing clothing and necessary items, and providing outreach to the community. They also donated knitted items and coloring materials for children. Thanks to Bill Fury and his work crew for their dedication and faithfulness.

Representatives from the Central Community and Stated Clerk, Bill Reinhold of Presbytery of Coastal Carolina honored the team with an appreciation dinner.

Thursday night before their departure, representatives from the Central Community and Stated Clerk, Bill Reinhold of Presbytery of Coastal Carolina honored them with an appreciation dinner. We are very grateful for the support we are receiving in the community.

If you would like to sponsor a mission group for recovery work or know someone who is interested, please contact: Clarence G. Page, Central Community Mission Coordinator, 910-301-1088.

The New Church Development Committee

Pastors and leaders are invited to come and explore the possibilities as we discover together what it means to be a vibrant church and what the key ingredients of a vibrant church look like.

Whether your church is already active and alive,

Whether your church is barely staying afloat,

Or whether your church is somewhere in-between…

This day-long workshop is for you and those in your church who aspire to have a deeper and richer faith journey, for those who want to believe that there is still more..

Vera White of 1001 New Worshiping Communities will be facilitating, along with the Rev.’s George and Beverly Thompson, Transformation Coaches from our own presbytery. Together we will learn and discuss how we can bring new vibrancy to existing churches and birth new worshiping communities within our presbytery – and maybe we can even see how the two can intertwine and work together.

Our goal is to once again awaken our spiritual imaginations as we listen and discuss and learn how new vitality and vibrancy can be rekindled in our congregations. This kind of thinking and talking takes leaders to a new level of leadership. We want our leaders to be empowered to be able to share the vision of what the church can be!

We would love for you, and anyone in your church who you think has a heart or desire for seeing beyond what current situations say is possible, to join us to dream larger.

When: Saturday, February 18th, 9:00am – 3:00pm

Where: Highland Presbyterian Church, 111 Highland Ave., Fayetteville, NC
Lunch will be on your own – with an intriguing assignment!

Middle School Retreat March 11-12, 2017

Please join us for this year’s Middle School Retreat, March 11-12, 2017 at Camp Kirkwood. The retreat will be led by youth and adults of our Presbytery and our Presbytery Youth Council. We will have keynotes, worship, music, and fun recreation options around the camp.

The retreat begins with registration Saturday morning between 9:00-10:00am followed by a Welcome and Keynote. We will conclude after worship Sunday morning no later than 11:30 AM.

FRIDAY OPTION:
This year we are offering the option of arriving on Friday evening. The program will not officially begin until Saturday morning, but realizing some of our groups have far to travel, we offer this opportunity.

The cost is $25 extra per person (for breakfast and housing) and we ask that you not arrive before 8 PM Friday night. We will have snacks available Friday night and a gathering space available. If you want to take advantage of the Friday evening option, you must register BEFORE FEBRUARY 20th.

About Camp Kirkwood:
Camp Kirkwood consists of 195 acres of pristine nature and is just outside of Watha, North Carolina. The camp has eight cabins (with heating/ac and indoor bath facilities) which are scattered though the camp and each is capable of sleeping 8-10 persons bunk style.

Near the main lodge, where we will have keynote and meals, there is an eight-acre lake which is canoe and kayak accessible. One highlight of the lake is its breathtaking Vesper Dell which seats approximately 150 people.

This is considered a Presbytery meeting for members of the Central Missional Community so those sessions unable to send a commissioner or pastors unable to attend should request an excused absence prior to January 19, 2017. Thank you.

FEMA Information

Any individual who has suffered loss or damages due to Hurricane Matthew is encouraged to register with FEMA for assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov , by downloading the FEMA mobile app, or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). For those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), the number is also 1-800-621-3362. For people using TTY, the number is 1-800-462-7585. These toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice. Operators are standing by to assist individuals in multiple languages. The registration deadline is December 9, 2016. There are several assistance programs available for the under insured, displaced persons, and more. If in doubt, please register.

Opportunities for Volunteers

Please use www.CrisisCleanUp.org to register your work group and find ongoing work sites where your particular skills are needed and welcome. This site helps you track volunteer hours and coordinate with other groups so that any particular site is not overloaded while another goes neglected.

Almost half of the Habitat for Humanity homes in Fayetteville were severely damaged by Hurricane Matthew’s floods Saturday. Of 154 homes built by the organization, 95 were affected and 66 are in “desperate need.” Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity said it needs donations and volunteers to help the homeowners rebuild. Contact Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity, Inc.
P. O. Box 3166 • 310 Green Street Fayetteville, NC 28302 (910) 483-0952 office@fayettevillenchabitat.org As of 10/26 more volunteers are still needed for this work with the Habitat Homes.

Groups are calling Presbytery staff saying, “We want to send a work group on dates A to B, what church might host us for that week?” If your church is willing to host a group in a needed recovery area, please let Laura Lupton or Bill Reinhold know, we will put groups in touch with you directly. Groups could also be hosted in a vacant rental home or similar situation.

Long term recovery needs will grow over time and more opportunities will be announced and posted here and please go to NCVOAD Site listed below.

Supplies – Materials Donations

Most helpful are gift cards and financial support. This helps the local economy and people can purchase the exact items they need for recovery.

CAUTION: Please only collect items that you KNOW ARE NEEDED (Ask) and for which you have a destination to receive the items collected. Do not just collect items that you assume are needed, call and ask first. Do not just drive somewhere and assume there will be a drop of point.

Shelter space is needed in the Robeson County Region. Apartments for rent, guest houses, etc.

Warehouse space is needed to receive deliveries of food and water and other supplies. BUT THIS IS A HUGE undertaking and not for the faint of heart. If you know of space, we may be able to locate people to manage it.

NOTE: Used Clothing donations CLOG the system, require huge amounts of storage space, ofen arrive dirty or with infestations and are not helpful except for New socks and New Underwear and diapers.

Urgent need to restock the Clean Up Buckets – this is a great congregational project:

For Information about regional responses from all aid groups

ncvoad.org this website will tell you “who is doing what where”…. they also have a daily coordinating Conference Call to enable groups to speak to each other about needs, donations, drop off sites, volunteer opportunities, etc.

We are thrilled to open registration for our Fall Senior High Retreat, November 19-20, 2016. We will be enjoying some Sabbath time at Camp Kirkwood and sharing some group time with Rev. Whitney Fauntleroy from Chestnut Street Presbyterian in Wilmington, NC. We do have an option for groups to arrive on Friday night if it is more convenient. Please use the registration packet below to register. If you have any questions, please email or call Amy Hodges, presbyccyouth@gmail.com or 910-520-7934.

Confessing Peace

Peace is not just a reaction to conflict and war. Peace is the heart of the Gospel, and the heart of who we are as Presbyterians. Join us as we explore themes of peace and reconciliation, and our call to be peacemakers, in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Book of Confessions.

The Peacemaking Committee is delighted to share this resource with you and your faith community. It is our hope that this video and its accompanying discussion guide help you:

More deeply engage with the PC(USA) Book of Confessions, and the call to peacemaking woven through each confession.

Intersect Presbyterian and Reformed theology with an ethic of peacemaking and reconciliation.

Critically engage with issues of peace and reconciliation in your own communities, our nation and our world.

Explore new and courageous ways to be a person of peace as a follower of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.

You may play the video as a whole to see the scope of peacemaking in all of our confessions, or do a more in-depth study of a few confessions at a time, pausing to discuss and engage with each one. Whether you use this video for small group study, for home reflection, as a powerful tool in worship, or listen to its peaceful call in your car, we pray that it is a blessing and call to action for you and your community.

Each time the General Assembly meets it receives suggestions for amending the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA). After study and debate some of these suggestions are sent to the Presbyteries for vote. Our Presbytery will debate and vote on these items at the March 4, 2017, Presbytery meeting at First Church, Morehead City.

This year the General Assembly has proposed:

one amendment to the Foundations of Presbyterian Polity,

10 amendments to the Form of Government,

a complete rewrite of the Directory for Worship, and

two amendments to the Rules of Discipline.

All of these sections are found in the Book of Order.

The Office of the General Assembly has prepared an online booklet listing all of these changes together with the rational offered by the Presbytery or Synod which proposed each item and the advice given to the General Assembly by the Advisory Committee on the Constitution. In previous years the Office of the General Assembly (OGA) printed copies of these booklets and sent to the presbyteries for distribution to minister members and commissioners from churches in the presbytery.

Now that so many presbyteries distribute their information electronically, the OGA has determined that the cost of printing and mailing these amendment booklets is prohibitive. The OGA can no longer afford to do that printing and mailing therefore those who desire to read to proposed amendments will need to read them online or download and print them.

The Zomba CCAP School in Malawi Africa receives support from the Two-Cents-A-Meal (CentsAbility) offering collected throughout our presbytery. This report is from the Associate Pastor at St Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church in Wilmington which recently visited the school.

Presbytery’s Resource Center wishes to share the following resources that can promote discussion about current moral issues and provide peacemaking guidance during the process. How does our religion impact our actions?

Please contact the Presbytery office (910-862-8300, ext. 5) if you’d like to borrow a resource or have a question.

Youth

1) Peace DVD Especially for Youth – This DVD is designed to be used as a 6-session series of studies on peace for youth. Youth will be encouraged to ask and answer the question, What can one person do to bring about peace in today’s world? Jesus’ sermon on the Mount is used as a guideline for the study. The study guide outlines for each session, including DVD segments, scripture passages, discussion questions, and an assignment.

Reclaiming Civility in the Public Square by Cassandra Dahnke, Tomas Spath & Donna Bowling– This book explores 10 rules that promote civility in the public square. 10 Practical steps to help bring us into relationship with each other once again are shared in the book. It explores a topic whose importance cannot be underestimated. As Lincoln said, “A nation divided cannot long endure”. The authors maintain that we can survive our division if they are handled with civility and respect. They are fully aware of the differences between groups that often lead to political friction and they offer constructive suggestions for all of us.

3) In Defense of Civility: How Religion Can Unite America on Seven Moral Issues That Divide Us, by James Calvin Davis. Book. From “the big four” (abortion, homosexuality, euthanasia, and stem-cell research) to war, poverty, and the environment, this timely book considers religion’s impact on moral debates in America’s past and present. James Calvin Davis argues for religion’s potential to enrich both the content and the civility of public conversation. This book will interest all concerned citizens yearning for more careful thinking about the role of religion in public debate.

What happened to civility in public discourse? While civility has long been a factor of Christianity and even in American politics, more recently it seems that our society and many of its leaders suffer from an appalling lack of it. When everyone is screaming at each other it becomes difficult to conceive of a different, better way of thinking about politics and public debate. This three-session, adult study by James Calvin Davis considers ways to think about political discussion between people who disagree in light of the four virtues of civility and the principles of civility found in Christianity. Session three of the study provides guidelines and applications for practicing civility.

5) The Things that Make for Peace – Bible study (free download) – https://www.pcusa.org/resource/things-make-peace-complete-bible-study/ – The Things That Make for Peace is a five-week adult study for small or large groups to be used during A Season of Peace or any time of the year. It focuses on the inner and outer path to peace as foundational to faithful discipleship. Each session has a “dig deeper” section for study through the week.

6) Neighbor: Christian Encounters with “Illegal” Immigration by Ben Daniel – Book. Using a blend of travel narrative, interviews, theological insight, and biblical scholarship, Daniel tackles the controversial issues that surround undocumented migration in the United States by taking the reader to the spiritual, legal, and geographical front lines of the immigration debate. Here, the political becomes personal and talking points have a human face. The result of this journey is a compelling argument that encourages Christians to meet undocumented migrants as neighbors and as friends. Study questions are included.

To listen to Ben Daniel’s interview about this book on WJK Radio with Dan and Jana, click here.

Praying that you find the peace of Christ in every step! – Kaye Bledsoe

ARE THERE OTHER RESOURCES YOU’VE USED AND WOULD LIKE TO TELL OTHERS ABOUT? LET ME KNOW!

The Presbytery of Coastal Carolina sent nine commissioners to the 222nd General Assembly of the PC(USA) in Portland, Oregon from June 18th through June 25th. This assembly proved to be very uplifting as we experienced a renewed Hope in our Calling. This assembly celebrated our diversity as we discerned our way forward as a denomination.

Saturday, June 18, 2016

· On the 60th anniversary of making women eligible to be pastors, and the 85th anniversary of ordaining its first woman elder, the PC(USA) made history again, electing two women as co-moderators for the first time. Denise Anderson, a pastor from National Capital Presbytery, and Jan Edmiston, a presbytery executive from Chicago, were overwhelmingly elected Co-Moderators of the 222nd General Assembly.

Sunday, June 19, 2016

Nearly 2,500 participants in the GA spread out on Sunday to worship in about 30 congregations stretching from Vancouver, Washington, to Salem, Oregon.

Monday – Tuesday, June 20 & 21, 2016

The commissioners were busy in their various committees debating and voting on issues to bring before the assembly for approval.

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Fifty years after it was birthed in South Africa by the Dutch Reformed Mission Church during its battle against apartheid, the Confession of Belhar is now included in the Book of Confessions of the PC(USA). After a four-year-long process of study and periodic votes, this assembly voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to make Belhar our denomination’s 12th recognized confession, the first originating in the global south. The historic moment was greeted with tears of joy by many in the Oregon Convention Center, including Allan Boesak, a co-author of Belhar who was moderator of the DRMC when it was adopted.

A slimmer, less restrictive Directory for Worship for the PC(USA) was overwhelmingly approved Wednesday by GA222. The directory, which is part of the Book of Order, now goes to the denomination’s 171 presbyteries, a majority of which must ratify it to be adopted.

Also on Wednesday, with tears and prayer – and a remarkable apology from Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons – GA222 unanimously passed a comprehensive policy to protect children, youth and vulnerable adults.

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Several recommendations that would have drastically changed the structure and operation of the PC(USA) were rejected Thursday by GA222. Commissioners instead adopted a compromise plan that would create a vision team and a separate administrative commission to address those matters. By a vote of 480-86, commissioners authorized the creation of a 12-member Way Forward Commission, which would have sweeping powers “to study and identify a vision for the structure and function of the General Assembly agencies.”

Declining a proposal to admit to and apologize for harming the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning community, commissioners to GA222 instead opted to express deep regret for ways that those minorities of “God’s beloved children” have been led to feel that they stand outside the grace of God and are unwelcome in the denomination. At the same time, the resolution expresses the deep sorrow of all in the PC(USA) who have left the fellowship of the church, and expresses appreciation to those who have maintained relationships despite profound disagreement. Calling for deeper conversations about theological differences, the resolution adopted by a 463-51 vote calls upon Presbyterians to seek reconciliation and to reach out to those who have been marginalized across the spectrum of theological understanding.

A decision two years ago that would have reconfigured and reduced the number of synods in the PC(USA) was rescinded by a 421-158 vote.

Friday, June 24, 2016

J. Herbert Nelson was overwhelmingly elected Stated Clerk of the PC(USA) in an historic vote, becoming the first African-American elected as the top ecclesial officer of the nation’s largest Reformed body.

The PC(USA) will continue its investment in fossil-fuel companies after overwhelmingly turning back an overture to begin divestment immediately. Instead, it will continue the process of selective, phased, divestment that begins with full corporate engagement.

After several hours of debate, commissioners voted to send to presbyteries a proposed amendment to the Book of Order that would restore the previous nomenclature for ordered ministry. If approved by a majority of the denomination’s 171 presbyteries, those now called teaching elders would become ministers of Word and Sacrament; ruling elders would be elders; and commissioned ruling elders would be commissioned lay pastors. The vote was 320- 218 to return to language in use prior to 2012, when the new form of government was adopted.

After a debate that stretched over the dinner hour, GA222 approved a lengthy report containing a re-evaluation of the PC(USA)’s historic support of a two-state solution in Israel/Palestine. The document, “Israel-Palestine: For Human Values in the Absence of a Just Peace,” says the PC(USA) “should advance those efforts that best accord with its values . . . including, but not limited to, that of two sovereign states—Israel and Palestine.”

After a six-year discernment process throughout the denomination, GA222 approved a lengthy report underscoring the centrality of peacemaking to Christian faith and promising to “practice boldly the things that make for peace.”

Summary Notes

During the assembly there was intentional Bible study, prayer, and worship that commissioners found life giving. There are numerous items not mentioned in this summary. The work of the assembly is exhausting but our commissioners are available to speak in your congregation about their experiences in Portland.

For more information on these items and other business conducted at the assembly, please see www.PC-Biz.org

Update from the director of Matthew 28 Project in Haiti supported by Presbytery of Coastal Carolina’s 2-Cents-A-Meal contributions. June 2016

Dear Friends of Matthew 28,

End of School Year Celebration

Friday was an exciting day. The children of Matthew 28 had long waited for it. Early in the morning they geared up for a day filled with games, a soccer tournament, and academics competition. There were two huge trophies waiting for the winners of the soccer tournament. Prizes for the other categories were waiting as well, all to celebrate the last day of school. For lunch there was a special meal complete with Coca-Cola’s and cookies. All of this nicely organized by the staff of the school under the leadership of the principal Mr. Chesnel.

The children had a great time and were proud of the trophies but I am even more excited about yet another victory. And what a victory this is! A few days ago I asked LaLa, our school director, to summarize the achievements for the first year of school and her answer was: “OUR KIDS ARE READING!!!!”.

Matthew 28 School News

What an enormous step forward. In October last year we started school with only the oldest kids able to read somewhat. The majority of them had no reading abilities and certainly not enough to follow the schoolbooks. Now nine months later the world is standing open for them. They can read the almost 400 Creole books we have in the library, they can follow all the curriculum books in the classes and although they might not realize the most important step towards their education has been set.

This is the first chapter of a dream we have for our children and for Haiti. Of course besides the reading the kids have been learning all kinds of subjects. Math, Science, Writing, Singing, Music, Bible study, Art , Geometry, History, Geography and if you will Home Economics where they learn how to plant a garden, bake bread, cook rice and all kinds of things that will help them in real life. Our new school has quickly earned a reputation in the community from seeing the students walk in a group to the new school campus every day and I’m sure that come August they will be lining up to get their toddlers registered for the first pre-K class.

There will be careful screening to select the children that we want to accept, those with abilities but who lack a chance to ever go to a good school. The children will be tested and home visits will be made to determine whether the parents are really interested in good education or are just looking for a cheap opportunity. We have made the decision to start off with a three year preschool program at first. We know our teachers rock at that!.

We will decide in two years whether to take the next step and only once we know everybody is prepared. To improve the teacher’s level we will, simultaneously with the school, operate a teaching school, during the morning. Interested persons from the community can apply for the teaching school as well. Of course all of this after they have been thoroughly tested.

At the home front we have a great group of people who are supporting the education effort. This includes people that teach education at college level, as well as two new board members for education, Lala and Andrea.

I cannot begin to tell you how proud I am of these people and to be part of an effort of making education in the Bohoc area really great. I want to take this chance to thank everyone who is involved in the school for all their support.

Matthew 28 Orphanage Update

At the orphanage, things are progressing real well.We have hired an additional person, Ms. Elienne, to oversee the spiritual upbringing of the children. In the last few months several projects have been accomplished such as the

rebuilding of the chapel,

construction of the playground,

and the new building that contains a water filtration system which was a donation of Firefly missions.

Work has also started the improve the enclosure of the courtyard. We have also made some changes in the staff in order to improve the care of the children. We are holding regular education classes for the employees, aimed at giving them more abilities to deal with various situations. Liline has been stretched thin but has done a good job holding it all together.

Matthew 28 Feeding Centers

Besides the orphanage she is also responsible for the feeding centers.

Until this month we had 14 centers but the Matthew 28 board has given approval

to increase his number to 19

provided we find the funding.

Severe Hunger Crisis in Haiti

You need to be aware that Haiti is facing the most severe food uncertainty in three decades.

This is the result of severe drought followed by severe rains.

The United Nations have issued a warning about the severity of malnutrition in certain areas and Bohoc is right in the middle of them.

In the month of May we have paid evaluation visits to several areas where the situation is dire.

In one of these villages the leaders told me that on average they have three meals a week.

Potable water is only available an hour and a half walk away crossing over a mountaintop. Can you imagine having to walk three hours for the 5 gallon bucket of water that will need to serve your entire family?

The situation in Haiti is certainly not getting any better at least not in the unserved area north of us. Thank God we receive additional food donations from two organizations called ” Feed My Starving Children” and” Love a Child”.

Check-Ups for the Children

Thanks to several doctors like Dr. Joe, Dr. Rodney and Dr. Scott, and other medical professionals we have been able to give the children in the feeding centers and our orphans, regular checkups. You will understand how important it is to address diseases before they become a problem.

Mission Partners & Visitors

Thanks to the willingness of almost 50 individuals who come to Haiti with me on a regular basis Matthew 28 continues to become a better place. All of them bring unspeakable joy to the children and adults alike, and help us with the skills such as pastoring, teaching, construction and healthcare to name a few. Know that they look forward to seeing you again. You are part of their family; you are their aunts and uncles.

Thank you to our Supporters

Those of you who support us financially and/or in prayer we owe a lot of thanks to you as well. All of us together form the body of Christ operating to show His love to the least of His children and without you we would fail.

Although the summer seems to be time that things slow down and I’m sure your busy with many of your family activities, this is also the time that we need your support the most.

Please think of giving so that we can continue this task that God has entrusted to us.